I get off of him quickly, Julia...not so quickly. Ziri struggles against his new bindings.
“Ziri, please calm down,” I beg.
He doesn’t say a word but growls at me, his eyes never leaving Ka’sith.
“Ziri,” I start again, “please calm down. I know she hurt you and I’ll take care of it, I promise, but you have to promise you’ll let me handle it, okay?”
The fury is still in his eyes, but his body relaxes a bit. Unable to talk through his anger, he nods once.
“Thank you, brother,” I say and he looks up at me, caught off guard. As it was intended to do, the endearment takes the steam out of him and he lays still, eyes returning to Ka’sith.
I rise facing the dresi and slowly approach her. She keeps her eye on me, wary and cautious. I lift a hand and the roots around her mouth unwrap. She moves her jaw back and forth and then spits, her one eye never leaving me.
“You’ll have to pay for what you’ve done, Ka’sith” I say calmly, still approaching her slowly.
She sneers at me. “You think you can do worse to me, Halfling.”
“Watch your mouth, witch,” warns Julia from behind me.
I continue moving forward until I am at arm’s length from her. I look her over slowly and when I come to the center of her chest, I reach out and place a hand on it She cringes, trying to back away from my touch. There is so much pain, regret, remorse, sadness and a bottomless pit of loneliness. I pull back and focus on her face, locking her gaze.
“I’m sorry you’re in pain, Ka’sith. I wish I could take you back in time. To a time before the first brutal whip marked and scarred you for life, and change it so that it never happened.”
She snarls. “You think you can look within and suddenly know everything about me? You think you know my pain? You know nothing. Kill me and get it over with.”
I shake my head. “I can’t. I won’t.”
She struggles against her bindings and I see it bite into her skin, dark blood seep from her wounds.
“Then I will kill everything starting with this place,” she threatens menacingly. “I will destroy every tree and every dryad standing in my way. I will cut a path of death until it reaches your feet and you will know they died because of you.”
I shake my head again. “No, you won’t. I’m going to cure you, Ka’sith.”
I move closer until we are only inches from each other and she retreats as far as the roots will allow her. She doesn’t want to be healed, she needs her pain, her hatred; it has kept her alive all these lonely centuries.
“Don’t touch me,” screeches Ka’sith.
She starts to struggle harder against her bindings now screaming and hissing in an attempt to keep me at a distance.
“Don’t touch me, don’t touch me,” she continues to scream.
Her hands clench trying to call her powers to her, but I put a shield around her, preventing her from reaching out. The two-headed silver snake, trapped under the roots, awake and agitated, attempts to pull away from the witch.
Ka’sith drops to her knees and I release her from the bindings. The snake slithers a few feet away from us and disappears under the black earth. No longer the terrifying and evil witch, Ka’sith huddles within herself and hides her face from me. I kneel besides her and she cringes, whimpering pathetically.
“I can’t let you continue killing, but I can’t take your life either,” I say quietly.
“Just kill me,” she begs. “You would be doing all of us a favor.” She suddenly reaches out and pulls me in close, “I will destroy everything, Little Queen, and eventually I will reach someone you care about. Save us both the time and effort, kill me.”
I gently pull her grip loose and place a hand on the damaged side of her face. I breathe easily and focus on healing the wound. Within seconds the beauty we first saw earlier returns, her eye fully healed. I watch as a tear escapes her dark lashes and I feel the deepness of her sadness; the air goes out of her along with her rage.
“What have you done to me?” she asks, weeping.
“I’ve set you free, Ka’sith,” I answer quietly.
With each passing second her features slowly change. More softness and roundness returns to her cheeks and chin; her lips, no longer pulled down from anger and hate, becomes full and soft. Her arms and shoulders lose the sharp edges and fill out. Her hair grows softer and thicker, falling gently as a breeze catches it within its fingers, the color once again a soft silver.
She looks at her hands as her fingers fill out and then she touches her face. “Why have you done this?”
“You don’t deserve it,” I answer. “But the Mother has forgiven you and wants you to come home.”
Ka’sith seems to shrink and eyes once full of hatred and evil, stare back at me with apprehension and hope. “I am condemned to this place by the one I once loved – I can’t go home.”
“Yes, you can. Look around you, dryad,” I say as I move to the side. The once blackened landscape is now filled with the color of life.
Ka’sith takes my arm as she slowly stands, turning in a slow circle and taking in the breathtaking scenery. No longer in the dark grove of a Pathen park, we now stand in the middle of an oasis, beautiful beyond words. The dryad releases my arm and steps forward, arms back, head tilted up and takes in the fresh air. She spins, laughing, and then stops to welcome a blue jay that lands lightly on her extended hand.
She turns to me, looking much more youthful than when I first saw her. “I can never repay you, but I will tell you of your brother’s true intentions. He did not come here for you, my queen.”
Harlu didn’t come for me? Then who…oh, no.
I turn from the witch calling for Julia.
“Julia, where’s Ziri,” I ask, leaving Ka’sith in her new surroundings.
Julia looks at Ka’sith suspiciously. “Why is she twirling and laughing like that?”
“She’s trapped in an illusion set upon her by the Mother,” I answer distractedly.
I turn for the last time to the dryad witch. Her thin frame, graying hair and the black sheath that barely covers the bruised and withered body beneath it, dance about like an old woman who had lost her sanity centuries ago. The silver two-headed snake is once again around her body, the heads bobbing up and down keeping tempo with the witch’s movements –companions forever till her last breath.
“Eventually,” I sigh sadly, “she’s going to die, Jules, and Lotin will come for her. He’ll take her back to Velesi.”
“I thought Minth said he condemned her here. Why would he come back for her?”
“Because,” I answer, “he loves her. He forgave her a long time ago. He’s been trying to come for her all these centuries, but the barrier she put in place wouldn’t let him in. With the barrier gone it won’t be long now before he comes and takes her home.”
“Will she be okay?”
“Yeah, I think so. She’s suffered so much, this little lie of nature will keep her from harming others and herself until Lotin arrives.”
“And…what? All that she’s destroyed and killed is forgiven?” asks Julia incredulously.
“The dryads and trees return to the Mother once they are perished from any realm. She replants and breathes life back into them somewhere else,” I reply, finally looking away from Ka’sith.
“That’s actually kind of cool,” says Julia.
“What’s up with her,” says Ziri, now fully clothed. “I thought you were going to take care of her?” he asks, accusingly.
“I did, Ziri. Trust me, she won’t hurt anyone ever again,” I place a soothing hand on his arm.
He takes a deep breath, staring at the old dryad angrily. Finally he says, “Fine. Now what?”
I turn and start walking back the way we came. “We go and get the others. Right now they’re in trouble. The Ange is here.”
“Here?” asks Julia, catching up to me.
“It’s not me who Harlu is after.”
“It’s Tharin,?
?? finishes Ziri before taking off with Julia and me following close behind.
~ * ~
Chapter Ten
~ Tharin ~
So far I have been able to keep my distance from the Cord of Lorelei. It didn’t take me long to realize that Harlu means to capture me, not kill. No matter how I try to get in close to him, Harlu keeps me at a distance with the mystical cord. The memory of the pain it inflicted back at Snow College keeps me on my feet, nimbly dodging its whiplashed attacks. The energy I used to break through Ka’sith’s barrier is taking its toll and the melting terrain isn’t helping much. It is only a matter of time before he has me.
I feel a sudden piercing pain at the back of my arm. I look to the side from where it was thrown – Kalis. She is going toe-to-toe with Tolan and I know it will only be a matter of time before he takes her down, but she distracts him by tossing a blue powder in his face. He stumbles backward momentarily off balanced, giving her enough time to throw her dagger and hit its mark. She sneers at me before going on full attack against my brother who is still trying to clear his head.
“Tolan, roll out to the right,” I call just as Kalis comes in from his left, ready to strike. Tolan evades her at the last second, hitting the ground rolling but comes up facing the wrong way. No longer caring about the gold cord, I am about to sprint to my brother’s side when I am knocked down hard. The cord snaps just inches from where my face was a second ago – I would have been hit if not for Ziri.
“That’s one you owe me, Tharin,” he yells, grinning as he is up and charging Harlu.
I reach out to catch him. “Ziri, no!”
I am torn between my two brothers and my frustration rises at the choice of who to help when Julia makes the choice for me. She barrels down on Kalis, taking her by the waist and away from Tolan, who is still trying to get his bearings. The two fighters roll away from one another, facing each other with blades out. Kalis will take her down eventually, but not if Tolan can help it. And, from where I watch, Julia doesn’t seem to care as she lunges at the elf warrior.
I turn to go after Ziri when an arrow flashes by, barely missing me, and hits him in his right buttock. He yells out as he stumbles stiff legged finally hitting the ground. And just in time to miss two of Harlu’s daggers. What the…? I look back to see where the arrow came from, and where the barrier once stood, is Lily with a bow in her hands. I watch as she nocks another arrow and aims it at Harlu, but as I look closely I realize what she is holding – Senestra’s bow. Damn it.
The arrows from Senestra’s quiver never miss. It will hit any target the archer is focused on. Lily is looking at Harlu but her focus is on saving me. I am the damn target and because of that Ziri got an arrow in the ass.
“Lily, stop shooting at us,” I connect with her.
“I’m not shooting at you, Tharin, I’m aiming for Harlu,” she answers, concentrating on holding the bow steady. Great, she doesn’t even know how to hold the bow. I look at Ziri and think it serves him right for not properly training her.
“Lily…” I call but I’m too late. She releases the arrow and it speeds toward me. I shift to the left at the last minute and duck, allowing the missile to miss me and catch Harlu in the shoulder. He yells out in pain, looking for the one responsible and finds Lily. He pulls the arrow out, sneers at her and then turns back to refocus his energy on me.
“Ha! I told you I got this, Tharin,” she cheers, her thoughts triumphant. “But you’re not making this easy. Stay down, Tharin, or I might hit you instead.”
I watch in horror as she pulls another arrow from the quiver. Without hesitating, I sidestep Harlu’s attack all the while trying to manipulate him into Lily's line of sight. I barely shift an inch to the left when the arrow passes between Harlu and me, slicing my left cheek close to my eye.
“Lily, stop shooting at me!”
“Tharin, stop getting in the way!”
Stubborn little…I take a deep breath. I have to try and manipulate her next shot to my advantage.
Harlu is relentless, whipping Lorelei’s cord at me with a vengeance and I’m barely able to keep up. I have one chance. I stop moving and come to a standstill facing Harlu. He looks at me suspiciously, circling slowly. I glance beyond him to catch Lily aiming her next shot. I look for Mellis, but he is tied up with Morlo and Janlu. Mirnuk is taking care of the five extra Ange Harlu brought with him, mercenaries – their speed and quick tactics are giving the First a run for his money. No one is available to stop her.
I stare at the leader of the Ange. “What do you want, Harlu?”
“It’s a bit complicated, prince, but I’m sure you know by now I have a need for your services. My sister seems to care for you. She’s stubborn, but I deem she would do anything for you,” he replies. He seems almost polite if it weren’t for the menace in his voice.
“Don’t be so sure,” I answer. “The only one she cared about was her brother, and you took care of that, didn’t you?”
Harlu’s face becomes a canvas of distorted hate. “I’m her brother!”
Rage takes over and he whips the cord at me. “I’m her brother! Her only family! Our mother kept her from me and when this is over, nothing will keep her from me ever again. She will come around to seeing things my way, I promise you that – even if it means beating you to mere seconds of your life.”
I balance on the balls of my feet as I reply, “I’d like to see you try.”
I synchronize my movements with his, catching him off guard when instead of side-stepping him, I mirror his moves. As soon as Harlu shifts, Lily lets go of her arrow hitting Harlu in the back of his upper left shoulder. He roars in pain and turns to Lily menacingly. I speed toward him before he can make his way to her when he snaps the cord out catching me in the stomach. The familiar pain runs through me and I hit the ground hard, this time unable to move with the cord wrapped around my abdomen.
In the distance I hear Lily scream, opening my emotions to take over. I pull from the earth what I need to bypass the pain and find I’m unable to. The Cord of Lorelei; its dark properties are preventing me from seeking out the energy I need to escape. I turn my head toward Lily and see her eyes, large and scared, focused on me. Her fear is taking over her senses because she is running to my side, when she should be running away. I try to yell at her to stay back, but I can’t get any sound to pass my throat.
Harlu comes into my line of sight and just when I know he has her, a huge hand comes out of nowhere and blindsides him, knocking him into a tree several feet away, nearly taking it out.
Mirnuk.
“Tharin,” she gasps as she slides into me.
“The cord, Lily…” I can barely put my thoughts together.
She nods and grabs at the cord, only to flinch her hands back. She stares at her hands and her fingertips starts to blister. She closes her eyes breathing calmly and within seconds the blisters begin to heal. Then she notices the cord trying to burn its way through my coat. Already it has burned through its opening, searing off my jersey around my waist.
Mirnuk kneels beside me and grabs the cord. The reek of burning flesh assaults me as the cord burns in his hand. With one fierce pull, the troll yanks the cord from me, lifting me upward, spinning in the air and away from Lily. I brace for the impact but I am spared more pain when I am caught before hitting the ground. Ziri grimaces and almost drops me when Mellis appears, an open cut near his hairline. They place me on the ground and Mellis takes off again, heading toward Tolan who is tending to Julia. Lily is at my side again.
“Harlu…” I gasp, the pain now regaining its hold on me and I can feel the edges of my vision blurring.
“They’re gone,” she answers. “Lie still, I’ll heal you.”
“No,” I push her hands away. “You’ve done enough.”
It's not what I meant to say, but my anger returns, heightened by the pain. I am still pissed off at her for leaving me when I asked – no, when I begged her not to go. Something I have never done before and will neve
r do again. Her actions left me with a feeling of betrayal and humiliation in front of the others.
“Tharin, let me…” I don’t let her finish as I put an arm around Ziri’s shoulder and together we struggle to get up. As we turn to go, Ziri stops and frowns at Lily. With some effort he pulls the arrow from his backside and hands it to her. She stares at the arrow, turning red.
“Who taught you how to shoot?”
He doesn’t wait for a reply, instead we turn from her and together limp to where Mellis is now looking after Julia. She is on the ground leaning against a fallen tree, conscious, but she looks to be in pain, as well. I struggle to keep the darkness at bay, shaking my head as I try to look for the others.
“Mellis…where is Tolan and Alorn?” I call.
“I don’t know, Tharin,” he answers. I feel the worry in his thoughts. “I lost track of Alorn during my battle with Morlo and Janlu. He and Dorlan were in it deep. Julia says Tolan went after them.”
Damn. All that Alorn has put into his training, the honing of his skills has been to face his brother one day. But Dorlan wore the title of First Greaneth before Alorn could lift a sword. Not only that, but Dorlan has been living with the dark elves, the Sithide, for the past century, learning their ways, including their fighting skills. I need to get to Alorn; even with Tolan at his side, they still may be outmatched against Dorlan.
Ziri sets me next to Julia, who must have been healed by Tolan before he took off. Her shirt is cut open and stained with blood, but I only see a thick pink welt running across her stomach. I also see blood on one of her blades which tells me that Kalis didn’t get away unscathed either. Julia turns to me, placing a hand on my shoulder as Ziri kneels beside me and leans over the tree, his butt in the air.
“Mellis, we’re okay here,” I say. Mellis nods, turns and disappears in search of Tolan and Alorn.
I watch with hooded eyes as Mirnuk approaches, with Lily following close behind. Ziri moves to get his blades out, but stops when I place a hand on his arm. Seeing Lily just behind the troll, Ziri relaxes and leans back over the tree. The troll takes to his knee, resting forward on it. He looks around him, shaking his head.